Removal of naproxen from wastewater using chitosan–aerogel–activated carbon biocomposites: Theory, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, and process optimization

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the performance of chitosan–aerogel–activated carbon (CHT:AEO:AC) biocomposite as an adsorbent for the removal of naproxen from wastewater. Naproxen removal in % was 99, 33, 62, and 90 using 300 mg of raw AC, raw CHT, CHT:AEO, and CHT:AEO:AC, respectively. Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), and Temkin isotherm models were used to obtain adsorption isotherms. Chi‐squared (χ2) and correlation coefficients (R2) values showed that the parameters of the Freundlich, Temkin, and D–R models were more suitable for naproxen adsorption than the Langmuir model for raw CHT, CHT:AEO, and CHT:AEO:AC, whereas the Langmuir model fitted well for raw AC. The adsorption of naproxen onto biocomposites was defined by pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, and adsorption rate constants were 0.245, 0.036, 0.075, and 0.147 mg g−1 min−1 for raw AC, raw CHT, CHT:AEO, and CHT:AEO:AC, respectively. The impact of optimum process conditions on naproxen adsorption was explored using response surface methodology. The optimum independent variables were 288.94 mg, 29.64°C, and 372.5 min, leading to a rate of naproxen removal onto CHT:AEO:AC of 90.29%.Practitioner Points Naproxen adsorption from wastewater using chitosan–aerogel–activated carbon biocomposite (CHT:AEO:AC) was investigated. The effects of the amount of biocomposite, temperature, and time on the adsorption were investigated. Optimization of the process conditions was carried out using the response surface methodology.